as for Harold Matts, this is a serious footy side.
it all reverberates around Alex Isdale. he was brilliant today. organises really well, calm under pressure and seems to have really sound judgement on when to run or pass. had a couple of try assists and controlled things really well. a massive improvement on last year and a player that will be pushing for higher honours as early as next season.
our middles were incredible today, Maddax Fui and Peter Taai in particular. their work on both sides of the ball is brilliant. where Fui hits like a bus, Taai has poise and timing. Godinet and Epati work their collective backsides off as well, it makes for an excellent starting forward pack. Moors has the ability to skittle defenders, as does PJ French, who scored a great try today. the concern this year has been around losing momentum when our starters go off, that certainly didn't happen today.
Ashton Large is first class. a very different player to Da Silva but his work in defence, his talk and his touches in attack are brilliant. I was really impressed by Cosgrave, his deputy, but when Ashton came back on for his second stint that was when we kicked away.
Thomas Goodfield had a blinder on his return. scored a brilliant try where he split the markers powered thru the defensive line and then evaded the fullback to score. also did some excellent cleanup work with 5 to go and the Chooks were on the attack where he took a slips-type catch to retrieve the ball off a wayward Roosters flick pass back inside. super super impressive today. Ali Karnib looks like Dylan Edwards to me. high effort player who is in everything. doesn't have heaps of good ball touches but his efforts are befitting of a player destined for higher honours.
I'm sure everyone is wondering about Makasini, and the hype is justified. the bloke got the ball one off the scrum, feigned to turn Karnib inside, put the foot down and skittled three defenders to score in the corner and then converted his own try. what I love about him is his workrate. while most big talented outside backs sit and wait for the ball to come, he takes plenty of hitups off his own line. while he has some work to do in contact defensively, his attitude will ensure he improves. he is a cannot miss talent. he has to be locked up.
the only thing that is stopping this side from winning the comp is the fact that Onitoni will be out for the year. Jhevon Lele is a solid deputy, but he struggles to set his outside men up and struggles in execution. that's not to say we can't win it, we're definitely favourites, but Onitoni's inclusion would've made us untouchable.
a super impressive, well-coached outfit. cannot wait to see them in the playoffs.